March 30, 1990

A borough public hearing has been slated for April 10 on a proposed rule change that would allow property owners to demolish eyesores while retaining building nonconformities for future reconstruction. Since late 1987, four buildings have been vacated or damaged by fire in the center of town. They are the former White Birch Inn at Church Hill Road and Queen Street, the former Hi-Way Cleaners on Church Hill Road near the Interstate 84 exchange, and the former Lovell’s garage at the intersection of Routes 25 and 302. The fourth, the Smoke Shop on Church Hill Road, has been rebuilt.

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The US Postal Service wants to replace the Newtown Post Office with a larger building. It’s seeking proposals either for property big enough for a 20,000 to 24,000-square-foot office, or for a one-level building to suit the purpose. The present post office, about 3,000 square feet, is leased from the owner of the Newtown Shopping Center. Newtown Postmaster Richard McGuire said the office, built in 1964, is too small.

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Pat Caruso figured that as long as he was talking so much about recycling, he should start doing something about it. So he has started offering a special collection service for recyclables. A local garbage hauler, Mr Caruso has been serving on the Legislative Council subcommittee that drafted a proposed ordinance regarding recycling. The proposal provides for the town, by January 1, 1991, to contract with at least two haulers, who on a weekly basis would collect certain recyclable items from all residences in town.

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He swam a time of 50.5 in the 100 freestyle last winter at the state finals, breaking Dave Sullivan’s Newtown High School record of 51.1 set in 1980. He broke it again at this year’s state finals with a 50.2. And last Saturday, March 17. Newtown High senior Marc Gardner did his record one better as he ended his high school swimming career at the State Opens with a new NHS record time of 49.93, which earned him 14th place in the state and a prestigious spot on the Newtown High record board.

April 2, 1965

The four Newtown ministers who made the recent trip to Selma, Ala., led a rally for the youth of the town at Edmond Town Hall last Sunday night. The program included a run-down on the events in Selma, sparked by the personal experiences of the ministers. A question-answer period followed, with only about four youths taking part. The singing of freedom songs concluded the evening.

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The Newtown Lions Club voted to contribute $1,000 to the proposed pavilion at the A. Fenn Dickinson Memorial Park, at the monthly meeting of the Board of Directors at the Hawley Manor Inn, on Wednesday evening. In donating this check, the club is continuing the program of each year contributing to or completing a project at Dickinson or Lake Lillinonah Park. It also feels that due to the increased attendance at the park and the children’s summer recreation program, this 40 x 100 foot open-air pavilion, with lavatories and storage space, is desirable for housing rainy day activities, arts and crafts, and for use in the adult recreational program.

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The lecturer series on “Youth and Maturity” for seniors at Newtown High School was concluded Wednesday morning with a panel discussion on the changes in our technological and sociological environment and their effects on youth. Young people have had early exposure to all sorts of ideas. They live in an affluent society, have permissive parents and are provided with much greater mobility than any previous generation.

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Monday’s untimely snow was hard on hungry birds. Mrs John Butler reports a squad of hug robins, about eight or nine for the biggest she’d ever seen, “digging like cats” on her front lawn on Brushy Hill Road. A large white owl visited Mrs Robert Ayles on Paugussett Road in Sandy Hook, spending most of the day in the nearby trees.

 

March 29, 1940

The Newtown Athletic Club will hold an open meeting on Tuesday evening, April 2, at 8 o’clock, in the court room of the Edmond Town Hall, for all those interested in forming a local baseball team. Members and nonmembers are urged to be on hand to express their opinions. If sufficient response is received in favor of a team, the Newtown A.C. and its committee members will immediately launch their plans, getting the season underway.

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Elm debris resulting from the ice storm of March 5 threatens the spread of Dutch elm disease in Connecticut, says Forester W.O. Filley of the Agricultural Experiment Station at New Haven. Property owners and municipalities are urged to burn or remove the bark from all broken elm wood more than two-inches in diameter, before June 1. They can do much to save the elms by acting now.

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H.G. Honegger of New York City, importer of musical instruments, has purchased through the office of M.F. Crowe, local realtor, the property of William Findley, M.D., of New York, located in Walnut Tree Hill district of Sandy Hook. The property consists of a six-room house, swimming pool and 25 acres of land. A commanding view of Newtown and the surrounding countryside can be had from this property. Mr Honegger with his family are in Switzerland, at their winter residence, expecting to spend the summer at their new home.

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A grand time is promised at the first annual ball of the Charles Howard Peck Sr and Jr post, Veterans of Foreign Wars, which will be held at the Edmond Town Hall on Army Day, April 6th.The Veterans are pleased with the fine spirit and support which the merchants and individuals are giving their program, and hope the public will readily respond as well, by purchasing tickets and attending the ball. Dress is optional. Dancing will start at 9 o’clock, music being furnished by Bob Hatch and his orchestra, with a grand march directed by Ken Newman at 10 o’clock.

 

April 2, 1915

Sanford Underhill and William Karcrevoski were arrested by Deputy Fire Warden C.F. Conger, charged with setting fire on their property to burn brush without a permit. Underhill applied to Conger on March 15 for a permit, but at the time Conger was busy and promised to send one the next morning. Underhilll, who had brush to burn, went about it next day and continued three days, expecting the permit by mail. In the meantime, Conger received notice from State Fire Warden Filley of New Have not to issue any more permits until it rained, but failed to notify Underhill. Justice McCarthy ruled that under the circumstances most every one would do as Underhill had done, and he was discharged. In Karcrevoski’s case, the latter is a foreigner and did not know that a permit was necessary. He was fined $1 and costs.

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John H. Blackman has had placed in his Sandy Hook market a large ice cooler, manufactured by Elias Diamond of New York. Workmen set the new cooler in position Saturday evening. With the market dressed in a neat coat of light green paint, it presents an inviting appearance.

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James Hughes heard a big commotion in his hen house. He found a skunk busy and before he knew it, was decorated. He killed the skunk and buried his clothes.

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On Saturday, the Newtown Inn, under the new management, will be formally opened to the public. On Sunday, a special dinner will be served at $1, and doubtless many local citizens will patronize the Inn on that day. Tremendous improvements have been made throughout the hotel. Two private dining rooms have been provided on the first floor. The kitchen has been moved from the basement to the west end of the building and equipped with the most modern appliances in the culinary line. Throughout the house extensive alterations and improvements have been made.